Created by President Barack Obama in 2009, the month of June is Pride Month and is commemorated with festivals, protests and other events around the country.
At MSU, the noticeable absence of the student population is felt in the summer months on campus. To allow the majority of students to easily participate in LGBT pride events, most campus groups celebrate “Pride Week” in April instead of June.
Biochemistry and molecular biology sophomore Tyler Bonanno said he was pleased with the amount of education put into the events of that week. He said as a result people have begun focusing on teaching each other that everyone is the same and sexuality can’t be labeled in black and white.
“It kind of opened your eyes to what other people go through,” Bonanno, a PRISM LGBT pride group Residential Housing Association representative said. “We are all one community.”
MSU LBGT Resource Center program media assistant Zoe Steinfield said there’s no one LGBT community. She said this idea dictates the celebration of pride at different times around the year.
“A lot of people celebrate or don’t celebrate pride in different ways,” Steinfield said. “It can take on as many forms as there are people.”
Steinfield said no matter when it is celebrated, pride is about self-acceptance and self-worth.
“Although a lot of progress has been made, (being a member of the LGBT community) is still in many places considered shameful,” Steinfield said. “People are marginalized by a lot of stereotypes that exist.”
Though Michigan has not legalized same-sex marriage, citizens can host and attend LGBT pride festivals. Across the state, major cities, such as Grand Rapids and Lansing, are home to pride festivals, which include activities for LGBT families.
Music education senior and West Circle PRIDE president Emily Pelky said progress is being made on MSU’s campus as well.
“They are becoming more accepting of it, and I can see that in the people here,” Pelky said.
Pelky attended festivals elsewhere in Michigan, such as the Motor City Pride festival, and said going to the events exposed her to an “amazing atmosphere.”
But joining in the festivities of the month is only a part of how pride is commemorated.
Bonanno said although the festivals can make him feel supported, you don’t have to be present to find acceptance.
“You don’t necessarily need to go there to celebrate it,” Bonanno said. “Just be proud ... be true to who you are, embrace it.”
For Pelky, the month can bring a sense of camaraderie to the forefront of the community.
“Pride month to me is kind of a validation for the LGBT community,” Pelky said. “It’s a way to bring the community together and celebrate our commonality.”
For someone to be at ease with who they are can be a difficult feat, and Pelky said she thinks MSU has put forth effort to encourage students to practice the acceptance of self and others on campus.
With five LGBT caucuses on campus — one coinciding with each neighborhood — she said MSU is closer to full equality on campus.
“It feels really welcoming to be an LGBT student on campus at the present time,” Pelky said. “MSU is a very supporting environment and it’s only getting better for us.”
